Poulter's looking after no 1

IT might be the first leg of Colin Montgomerie's Order of Merit showdown with Michael Campbell today, but Ian Poulter has other things on his mind - like getting his own career moving in the right direction again.

IT might be the first leg of Colin Montgomerie's Order of Merit showdown with Michael Campbell today, but Ian Poulter has other things on his mind - like getting his own career moving in the right direction again.

Poulter is the defending champion in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, where New Zealander Campbell has to finish in the top five just to have a chance of wiping out Montgomerie's lead of just under £105,000.

"I'm not interested in the two, to be honest," Poulter said when asked who his money was on.

"That's not my goal, is it? My goal this week is 100% focused on me. I'm not bothered either way who wins the Order of Merit. Good luck to the pair of them."

Poulter has only one other event left this year - the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai in a fortnight - and his primary target is to climb from his current 56th in the world back into the top 50 and therefore secure a return to the Masters at Augusta in April.

Since he began the year 35th he does not need telling that the season has not been the one he hoped for.

"I'm massively disappointed, but it hasn't been horrific," added the 29-year-old. "All is not lost.

"My game is pretty much in shape, but like last year let's hope I've saved the best until last."